Two puppies wear protective cones while recovering from their sterilization procedures.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Animal surgeon Fretorry Rogers (center) drapes a female dog for surgery at the city's Animal Care Services department. He performed about 100 spay and neuter procedures on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. The surgeries are done as part of the process to getting the animals adopted from the shelter.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

A kitten awaits for her sterilization procedure at the city's Animal Care Services department. The facility performed about 100 spay and neuter surgeries on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. The procedures are done as part of the process to getting the animals adopted from the shelter.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

A kitten awaits for her sterilization procedure at the city's Animal Care Services department. The facility performed about 100 spay and neuter surgeries on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. The procedures are done as part of the process to getting the animals adopted from the shelter.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Animal surgeon Fretorry Rogers (center) works on a female dog at the city's Animal Care Services department performing about 100 spay and neuter procedures on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. The surgeries are done as part of the process to getting the animals adopted from the shelter.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Cats await their sterilization procedures at the city's Animal Care Services department. The facility performed about 100 spay and neuter surgeries on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. The procedures are done as part of the process to getting the animals adopted from the shelter.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Veterinary technician Rhonda Lindner holds a boxer mix before getting it prepared for spaying at the city's Animal Care Services. The facility performed about 100 spay and neuter surgeries on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. The procedures are done as part of the process to getting the animals adopted from the shelter.

Photo By Mike Fisher/San Antonio Express-News

Animal Care Services continues to work toward increasing the number of animals that can be released. Release figures include adoptions; rescues; transfers to another shelter; return to owner; and trap, neuter, release of feral cats.

Photo By JERRY LARA/San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Animal Care Officers Roland Gonzalez chased after a stray dog during a neighborhood sweep on the east side earlier this year. A reader says dog owners should be more conscientious about keeping their animals restrained.

Photo By Harry Thomas/San Antonio Express-News

Pet owners who live in 20 San Antonio ZIP codes with a high population of stray cats and dogs are eligible for free spay/neuter services.

Residents must show proof of residency, such as an utility bill or a driver’s license, and proof that the animal is a pet, such as a vet bill. There isn’t an income requirement.

In one neighborhood northwest of downtown, stray dogs roam the streets and chase bicyclists. On many South and West side roads, they often are seen trotting after cars, kids and joggers. And on the East Side, packs of strays have been a part of the landscape since before A.J. Kendricks moved there more than a dozen years ago.

Kendricks, 65, said he finds droppings on the front lawn of his home on Center Street every day and has to hose the waste away when it's scattered across his sidewalk. In the summer, when the temperature rises, the stench is overwhelming.

"Just like an outhouse," he said.

A few miles away, Alfredo Luna, 67, said strays have taken over his neighborhood, just northwest of downtown.